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GOVERNOR  CLINTON. 


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jJII^ii  LIBRARY 


EtrLoazuxm. 


The  following  beautiful  Eulogiuin,  is  from  the  pen  of  S.  Simp-- 

_  son,  Esq.  of  Philadelphia,  and  is  reprinted  in  this  form,  to  en- 

"sure  its  preservation  among  those  who  appreciate^the  talents  of 

the  writer,  and  the  splendid  abilities  and  patriotic  services  of 

our  beloved  Clinton. 

When  a  great  public  benefactor  descends  to  the  tomb,  it  is  the 
republic  that  suffers ;  and  the  void  occasioned  by  his  death,  is  just- 
ly lamented  as  a  national  calamity.  The  people  mourn  for  their 
country  and  themselves,  and  seek  consolation  for  their  loss,  in  the 
isoothing  contemplation  of  the  greatness  and  virtues  of  the  illus- 
trious citizen,  whose  fate  they  deplore,  and  whose  patriotism 
they  venerate.  There  is  a  melancholy  pleasure  in  recalling  to 
our  gaze,  the  splendid  attributes  of  a  departed  sage  ;  and  giving 
an  intellectual  Ibrm  and  image  to  the  immortal  worthy,  whose 
corporeal  substance  has  passed  away  to  mingle  with  the  elements 
that  composed  it. 

To  die,  is  the  fate  of  all  men — a  fate,  fixed  by  the  unalterable 
decrees  of  nature,  which,  nor  power,  nor  rank,  nor  genius  can 
avert ;  but  to  die  full  of  years,  and  crowned  with  honors,  an  ob- 
ject of  envy  to  the  great,  of  admiration  to  the  million,  of  rivalry 
to  the  ambitious,  beloved  by  friends,  venerated  by  the  world, 
and  lamented  by  all  who  appreciate  virtue,  genius,  and  learning 
— is  the  chosen  destiny  of  the  select  few,  whom  God  has  endow- 
ed with  the  high  and  commanding  attributes  of  mind,  and  exalt- 
ed in  the  sphere  of  humanity,  by  combining  virtue  with  genius, 
and  benevolence  with  science.  To  descend  to  the  tomb  thus  full 
of  glory,  thus  followed  by  the  tears  and  the  lamentations  of  mil- 
lions of  free  people,  is  not  to  die,  but  rather  to  change  an  earthly 
for  an  eternal  existence ;  and  to  come  into  the  inheritanee  of 
that  immortality  of  renown,  which  is  the  reward  of  a  life,  nobly 
spent  in  promoting  the  felicity  of  the  species,  advancing  the 
prosperity  of  the  nation,  giving  vigor  to  freedom,  and  durability 
and  perfection  to  our  free  institutions. 

Thus  has  descended  to  the  tomb,  De  Witt  Clinton ;  a  man, 
who,  ia  whatever  light  we  view  him,  strikes  the  beholder  with 


the  traits  of  genius,  and  the  altitude  of  greatness.  As  a  politi- 
cian, who  could  outstrip  him  in  the  race  of  glory  ?  As  a  states- 
man, where  shall  we  seek  for  his  equal,  or  his  superior?  As  a 
man,  who  is  more  virtuous,  amiable,  engaging,  benevolent,  and 
urbane.  As  a  scholar,  who  can  boast  learning  more  profound, 
judgment  more  solid,  taste  more  refined,  imagination  more  crea- 
tive, invention  more  sublime  and  beautiful,  and  composition 
more  classical,  eloquent,  and  melodious — simple  in  its  proportions, 
but  beautiful  in  its  structure — like  the  temples  of  Greece,  replete 
with  grace  and  grandeur,  but  so  chaste  that  all  traces  of  labor 
were  lost  in  the  brilliancy  of  its  effect. 

Possessed  of  a  capacious  mind,  an  ardent  fancy,  a  store-house 
of  knowledge,  a  flowing  elocution,  and  a  commanding  oratory  ; 
combined  with  superior  personal  advantages,  inclination  pointed 
to  the  world  of  politics  as  the  orbit  of  his  glory.  Who  can  con- 
trol his  destiny  ?  The  impulse  was  that  of  genius.  The  highest 
range  of  duties  are  grasped  by  the  highest  range  of  faculties. 
The  art  of  government  is  the  sublimation  of  human  wisdom  ;  and 
the  highest  conceptions  can  alone  wield  the  destinies  of  mankind, 
to  improve,  benefit,  and  bless  them.  Clinton's  genius  was  not  of 
that  secondary  class  of  greatness,  which  passively  administers  a 
system  already  formed  and  established,  with  prudence,  order, 
and  harmony.  This  is  the  part  of  ordinary  statesmen,  who  are 
fashioned  by  the  square  and  compass  of  the  schools.  The  gigan- 
tic vigor  of  his  genius  could  not  rest  to  turn  the  wheel  of  a  ma- 
chine, which  for  a  thousand  ages  had  regulated  the  government 
of  mankind,  in  one  unvaried  order  of  stationary  mediocrity.  His 
mind  w  as  created  to  soar,  and  by  necessary  consequence,  the 
bent  of  his  genius  was  to  improve  mankind  by  new  creations. 
Thus,  he  has  stamped  the  impress  of  his  genius  on  the  age  in 
which  he  flourished.  A  waste  of  useless  waters  lay  embedded 
on  the  earth,  accidentally  beneficial  in  a  partial  degree  to  the 
powers  of  man — but  directed,  governed,  and  regulated  by  the 
genius  of  Clinton — they  became  the  fountain  of  abundance,  the 
source  of  individual  opulence,  and  the  basis  of  national  grandeur. 
Equally  waste  lay  the  common  tract  of  the  human  mind  ;  here 
and  there  enlightened  with  a  solitary  ray,  but  the  great  mass 
presenting  a  dense  and  gloomy  aspect  of  ignorance  and  turpitude. 
Struck  by  the  wand  of  his  genius,  this  inert  mass  has  become  an 
active  body  of  intellectual  vigor,  and  moral  worth.  Education 
spread  her  beams  over  the  surface,  at  the  command  of  Clinton, 
and  all  became  light,  life,  and  loveliness.  In  the  same  manner 
did  he  produce  harmony  out  of  the  chaos  of  our  Federal  Consti- 
tution, by  devising  that  fundamental  amendment  which  discrimi- 
nated the  election  of  the  President  from  the  Vice-President  of 
the  United  States. 

For  the  last  thirty  years,  the  name  of  De  Witt  Clinton  is  asso- 
ciated with  the  conflicts  of  party,  the  improvements  of  our  Fede- 
ral Constitution,  the  diffusion  of  knowledge,  and  the  acceleration 
of  our  prosperity.     To  him,  are  the  people  indebted  for  the  first 


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impulse  givem  to  an  opposition  to  the  abuses,  usurpations,  and 
dictatorial  tyranny  of  the  central  power.  And  to  him,  shall  v.e 
be  still  more  largely  indebted,  for  such  an  amendment  of  the  na- 
tional compact,  as  shall  limit  the  eligibility  of  the  President  to 
one  term;  thus  cutting  off  at  the  roots,  all  intrigue,  corruption, 
and  venality. 

Deeply  versed  in  national  law,  Mr.  Clinton  was  highly  distin- 
guished for  his  legal  acumen  ;  a  quick  perception  of  great  gene- 
ral principles,  and  the  essence  and  substance  of  what  is  under- 
stood by  the  term  Jurisprudence.  No  man  in  the  country  could 
boast  superiority  to  Clinton,  in  all  that  related  to  the  science  of 
government,  and  none  could  claim  to  be  his  equal  in  the  art  of 
govenwient,  two  very  distinct  branches  of  intellectual  power,  and 
but  seldom  found  united  in  the  same  individual. 

Such  is  the  grand  outline  of  the  colossal  genius  of  De  Witt 
Clinton.  In  filling  up  the  picture,  countless  charms  attract  the 
eye,  and  splendid  incidents,  while  they  captivate  the  fancy,  also 
enchain  the  heart. 

As  a  politician,  Mr.  Clinton  was  ambitious  of  fame  and  power, 
and  no  aspiration  was  ever  supported  by  claims  so  just,  and  ta- 
lents more  brilliant.  Local  politics,  however  exalted,  could  not 
prevent  those  claims  of  the  country,  from  calling  him  to  become 
a  candidate  for  the  highest  honors  of  the  nation.  But  here  the 
rancour  of  party  spirit  interposed  the  barrier  of  bigotry  to  his  ele- 
vation. Inferior  men  combined  to  check  his  career;  and  the 
machinery  of  faction  succeeded  in  exalting  to  power,  the  seconda- 
ry class  of  inefficient  statesmen,  who,  without  such  artificial 
means,  must  forever  have  remained  in  obscurity.  But  even 
combinations  would  have  failed  to  ostracise  him,  without  the 
auxilliary  force  of  calumny.  The  cry  of  ambition  was  raised  by 
the  ambitious^  to  cover  their  own  venality,  and  screen  their  in- 
trigues and  bargains :  and  a  man,  who  never  thought  of  power, 
but  to  do  his  country  service,  was  offered  up  a  victim  upon  the 
altar  of  faction,  to  aj)pease  the  indignation  of  demagogues  and 
factionists. 

Among  the  chief  constituent  qualities  of  greatness  are  moral 
courage,  energy  and  decision.  The  noblest  invention  may  pro- 
ject, the  acutest  ingenuity  devise  schemes  of  national  utility ; 
but  they  will  burst  into  air,  unless  reinforced  by  vigor  of  execu- 
tion, and  inflexible  determination.  These  attributes  appeared  in 
bold  relief  in  the  character  of  Clinton.  When  he  projected  his 
grand  canal  system,  fools  were  convulsed  with  laughter,  and  fac- 
tionists thundered  their  malediction  through  the  union.  But  the 
great  mind  of  Clinton,  remained  firm  and  immoveable,  sustained 
by  the  consciousness  of  his  superior  genius,  and  the  force  of  a 
colossal  intellect,  that  could  see  what  others  were  blind  to. — 
Few  men  possess  this  moral  courage  in  so  extraordinary  a  degree 
as  did  De  Witt  Clinton,  because  few  men  are  so  lavishly  endow- 
ed with  the  omnipotence  of  genius.  He  lived  to  see  the  laughter 
of  fools  converted  into  adulation  of  his  wisdom  ;  and  the  growk 


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ot  party  change  to  the  acclamations  of  applause.  I  speak  truth — 
if  any  are  offended,  let  them  seek  consolation  in  repentance 
and  self-humiliation. 

It  was  owing  to  this  superior  trait  in  his  intellect,  that  he  was 
enabled  to  vanquish  opponents,  surmount  obstacles,  and  remove 
difficulties  in  the  path  of  his  vast  designs,  that  common  talents 
wo*ald  have  sunk  under.  It  was  this  trait  that  gave  him  such 
powerful  command  over  circumstances,  persons,  and  events;  and 
stamped  him  with  the  attribute  of  action — that  attribute  which 
is  peculiar  to  genius  of  the  first  order,  without  which,  invention 
evaporates  in  theory,  and  wisdom  dwindles  to  the  imbecility  of 
an  abstract  rule — without  which,  eloquence  is  grovelling,  and 
learning  useless. 

I  am  aware  that  the  grave  has  but  just  received  the  remains 
of  Clinton  ;  and  that  in  thus  doing  justice  to  his  memory,  that  I 
tread  upon  the  live  coals  of  the  burning  lava  of  faction.  It  is  too 
early  to  write  the  history  of  this  illustrious  man — but  it  ought 
not  to  be  too  early  to  pay  the  homage  of  truth  to  his  real  merit. 
Envy,  and  fear,  and  rivalry,  die  with  the  object  that  excitsd 
them  ;  and  while  his  grave  is  yet  open,  every  political  chieftain 
ought  to  advance  to  the  brink,  and  cast  in  his  poisoned  javelin, 
invoking  the  forgiveness  of  the  Great  Spirit,  whose  giant  power 
made  inferiors  tremble,  and  equals,  if  he  had  them,  hate !  But 
this  is  past.  The  ice  of  death  withers  the  malice  of  the  heart, 
and  plucks  calumny  from  the  tongue  of  envy. 

But  the  patriot,  in  delinealing  the  great  traits  of  such  a  char- 
acter as  Clinton,  is  instinctively  prompted  to  inquire,  how  it  has 
happened,  that  a  statesman  thus  fashioned  in  nature's  brightest 
and  richest  mould,  never  attained  the  highest  summit  of  distinc- 
tion, to  which  the  people  were  desirous  of  exalting  him  ?  History 
responds  an  answer  in  the  banishment  of  Aristides,  in  the  fate  of 
Cato — but  he  desires  to  know  the  real  cause,  not  the  analagous 
effect  of  injustice  and  proscription !  He  seeks  for  it  in  the  history 
of  parties,  and  he  finds  it  in  the  depravations  of  government ;  he 
beholds  it  in  the  supremacy  of  a  central  power,  superior  tOj 
and  above  the  people — in  the  intrigues  of  cabinet  corruption — 
in  the  law  of  cabinet  succession — in  the  heirship  of  Se- 
cretary panders  to  Presidential  demagogues — and  he  closes 
the  volume  of  his  country's  history,  with  a  sigh,  a  blush,  or  an 
imprecation ! 

But  let  me  hush  indignation  on  a  theme,  where  every  sylable 
should  breathe  nought  but  harmony,  to  be  in  accord  with  the 
spirit  whose  departure  we  deplore  ;  and  where  every  feeling 
should  melt  to  the  sweetness  of  the  benignant  temper  that  glow- 
ed in  the  bosom  of  this  pure  patriot.  Thank  God,  his  glory  re- 
quired no  such  distinction  to  make  it  full  and  perfect.  Clinton 
will  outlive,  and  outshine  those  whose  names  are  inscribed  on 
the  roll  of  presidential  honors — for  his  name  and  his  genius  are 
stamped  on  the  face  of  the  nation — w^herever  a  river  rolls  its  wa- 
ters to  feed  a  canal,  wherever  a  college,  or  a  school  rears  its  little 


spire,  or  lofty  dome,  to  indicate  its  spiritual  aim  ;  wliererer  lib- 
erty is  loved,  and  the  rights  of  the  people  prized,  the  name  of 
Clinton  will  live — not  in  mouth  honor  only — but  in  the  deep 
affections  of  tiie  heart — in  gratitude  for  his  public  benefactions 
and  services  5  in  admiration  of  his  genius,  and  in  veneration  for 
his  philanthropy. 

Let  no  one  so  far  mistake,  as  to  suppose  I  am  attempting  to 
write  the  eulogium  of  De  Witt  Clinton  !  I  am  not  qualified  for 
the  task ;  I  have  no  set  phrases  and  drilled  thoughts,  suited  to 
the  theme.  Nor  does  Clinton  require  an  eulogium.  There  too, 
he  is  superior  to  most  men,  on  whom  the  world,  with  little  dis- 
crimination, lavish  the  title  of  great.  His  eulogy  is  written  on 
the  page  of  the  nation — not  the  page  of  history — but  on  the  face 
of  our  soil,  on  our  rivers,  our  canals,  our  literature,  our  science, 
our  legislation,  our  institutions,  and  our  charters  of  liberty.  No, 
thank  God,  Clinton's  glory  requires  n*  presidential  honors,  no 
elogium's  extravagance  to  make  it  full,  splendid  and  perfect. — 
From  my  soul  do  I  pity  the  man,  who  appreciates  genius  by  the 
standard  of  office,  or  bestows  upooi  office,  the  homage  that  ought 
only  to  be  consecrated  to  genius. 

And  yet  Clinton  ought  to  have  been  President,  for  the  sake 
of  the  country.  Because  his  faculties  ^vfere  fashioned  on  a  great 
scale,  and  he  was  capable  of  doing  great  things.  Because  he 
was  one  of  nature^s  colossal  works ;  and  like  Washington, 
Jackson,  Napoleon,  and  other  illustrious  sons  of  genius,  was 
created  to  benefit,  bless  and  enlighten  the  country  he  adorned. 
The  greater  his  sphere  of  action,  the  greater  would  have  been 
his  usefulness ;  and  we  may  judge  of  the  transcendant  extent  of 
his  power,  when  we  consider  that  even  as  the  Governor  of  a 
State,  he  has  done  more  for  the  whole  nation,  than  all  the 
Presidents  who  have  held  the  hand  of  legitimate  imbecility ,  to  the 
wheel  of  passive  government. 

In  relation  to  the  state  of  New-York,  the  works,  the  name 
and  the  glory  of  Clinton,  must  form  a  stupendous  monument 
of  pride  and  renown !  Why  ?  When  that  question  is  put,  or  an 
answer  wanted,  all  monuments  will  be  useless — all  worth  of  no 
account — all  virtue  a  chimera — ail  genius  a  phantasm  ! 

As  an  Orator,  we  have  no  men  who  are  superior,  few  equal 
to  Clinton.  On  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  he  has  convinced,  cap- 
tivated and  carried  away  an  audience.  In  this  respect  he  was 
far  above  Washington.  In  literature  and  science,  he  was  also  su- 
perior to  the  great  father  of  his  country ;  as  an  author j  no  Ameri- 
can, no  European  writer,  soars  above  him.  Firm,  dignified  and 
self-collected,  he  expressed  breathing  thoughts  in  burning  words. 

In  the  Sciences,  he  was  deeply  versed ;  botany,  chemistry, 
mathematics,  and  the  various  adjunct  departments  had  been  con- 
quered by  his  genius  to  his  absolute  control. 

Polite  literature  and  poetry  claimed  him  for  a  pre-eminent  dis- 
ciple. In  the  bower  of  the  muses,  it  was  the  highest  delight  of 
the  patriot  statesman  to  repose  after  the  toils  of  government.— 


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Uj^M  LIBRARY        ■>^_^^^^/^ 


His  ambition  was  to  excel  all  others  in  literature,  science,  and( 
the  art  of  government ! 

Acting  on  the  maxim,  thd±  knoioledge  is  liberty j  and  liberty  pow- 
er, he  prosecuted  with  untiring  assiduity  the  task  of  diffusing 
education!  Convinced  that  public  virtue,  and  moral  purity,  are 
in  proportion  to  intellectual  improvement,  he  aimed  to  promote 
the  happiness  of  mankind,  by  making  them  wiser  and  better. 

Grandeur  captivates  the  imagination.  Virtue  wins  the 
heart.  Who  can  refuse  to  be  an  enthusiastic  devotee  at  the 
shrine  of  glory  ?  Who  can  abstain  from  burning  the  incense  of 
affection  on  the  altar  of  morality  ?  Clinton  is  a  rare  example  of 
private  virtue  in  a  great  public  character.  His  life  was  unblem- 
ished by  a  spot  on  his  honor,  or  a  stain  on  his  morals !  Does  such 
a  man  require  a  eulogist  ?  What  combination  of  the  sublime  and 
beautiful  can  excel  such  a  picture  of  a  patriot  citizen,  consecrated 
to  the  enduring  admiration  of  posterity  ? 

As  a  friend  his  heart  was  warm,  his  attachments  eternal,  or  as 
firm  and  unalterable  as  his  life.  But  my  object  is  not  a  display 
of  his  private  virtues ;  yet  we  may  remark  without  infringing  on 
the  limits  of  our  subject,  that  Clinton  amidst  his  household  gods, 
was  not  inferior  to  Clinton  as  the  statesman,  the  politician,  the 
patriot,  the  scholar  and  the  philosopher. 

Yes,  he  was  a  great  tjnd  a  good  man,  a  brilliant  star  of  genius, 
and  an  exemplary  model  of  virtue  :  this  is  true  greatness  !  And 
who  can  hold  back  the  tear  that  gushes  to  the  eye,  when  such  a 
man  falls  ?  It  is  the  tribute  due  to  humanity  !  Could  I  not  weep 
over  the  fate  of  Clinton,  I  should  myself  be  a  recreant  to  my  spe- 
cies— but,  perhaps,  you  knew  him  not,  perhaps  his  excellent 
heart  never  warmed  your  bosom — perhaps  you  only  knew  him 
through  the  voice  of  fame !  Then  weep  over  poor  humanity, 
that  such  a  light  should  be  extinguished  in  all  the  glory  and  full- 
ness of  its  cheering  blaze,  by  one  rude  blast  of  death  !  Frail  mor- 
tals !  Ye  stand  in  the  greatness  of  genius,  emulating  the  gods  in 
power  and  intelligence — when  lo !  one  breath  from  the  trumpet 
of  fate,  hurls  ye  into  nothingness.  Pay  a  tear,  at  least,  to  your 
own  frailty ! 

But  I  have  transcended  the  bounds  of  an  unstudied  and  spon- 
taneous tribute  of  respect,  for  the  genius  of  a  great  public  bene- 
factor !  It  is  not  the  effusion  of  a  weekly  journal  that  can  do  jus- 
tice to  the  talents,  learning  and  actions  of  De  Witt  Clinton. 
That  task  is  reserved  for  the  biographer  and  historian.  But  the 
homage  of  the  heart  will  break  forth — ^the  tribute  due  to  the  pat- 
riot must  be  paid  by  the  citizen.  His  talents  always  extorted 
our  admiration — his  sudden  demise  has  struck  us  with  astonish- 
ment and  covered  us  with  gloom. 

Before  concluding  this  article  we  cannot  but  express  a  hope, 
that  the  intimate  connection  subsisting  between  Clinton  and  Jef- 
ferson will  now  be  revealed  to  the  public  ;  and  tliat  their  mutual 
correspondence  will  be  published,  as  illustrative  of  the  opinions 
and  characters  of  two  of  the  greatest  worthies  of  the  republic, 


